Extracting device for surgical fasteners

1. A method for extracting a deployed surgical fastener form a body tissue, the surgical fastener having a crown, a baseplate and prongs extending from the crown, the surgical fastener having an undeployed configuration in which the crown is separated from the baseplate by a first distance and a deployed configuration in which the crown is separated from the baseplate by a second distance that is less than the first distance, the method comprising:

(a) providing an extracting device, the extracting device comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a distal portion of the shaft having a lumen with a cross-sectional shape and dimensions to allow the crown of the surgical fastener to enter the lumen while preventing the baseplate of the surgical fastener from entering the lumen, the shaft of the extraction device comprises

a sheath;

a rod; and

a hook located at the distal end of the rod, the rod being slidable in the sheath between a retracted position in which the hook is retracted into the distal end of the sheath and an extended position in which the hook extends beyond the distal end of the sheath, and

wherein the hook comprises a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces being substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the hook when the hook moves between the retracted position and the extended position;

(b) introducing the crown into the lumen while preventing the advancement of the baseplate by the distal part of the shaft;

(c) bringing the rod to its extended position;

(d) inserting the hook between the crown and the baseplate of the fastener; and

(e) bring the rod to its retracted position.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the rod is spring biased in the extended position.